Certain sports clubs in Kildare can now apply for an exemption to commercial rates under a Fianna Fáil plan that has been initiated in a new law.

Local sports organisations which have a bar on their premises are now able to apply to have their commercial rates reduced so that they would only apply to the licensed premises and not the full sports grounds. Applications are being accepted up to Tuesday, September 15th.

Fianna Fáil General Election Candidate for Kildare North Cllr Frank O’Rourke has welcomed progress on the Fianna Fáil initiative and is urging all clubs in Kildare to check if they can avail of the reduced rates.

Cllr O’Rourke commented, “At the moment, clubs with licensed premises must pay commercial rates on all of their premises despite the fact that the vast majority of their space is used for sporting and voluntary purposes. This unfairly penalises clubs that have bars and I am delighted that the Government has seen the merits in this common sense measure and included it in the Valuation Act 2015.

“The Valuation Office is now placing adverts in newspapers highlighting the fact that sports clubs can now apply to have their commercial rates reduced if they have a bar on their grounds. Many sporting organisations have been hit by cuts to funding by Government and they’re finding it hard to keep going.

“In order to get the benefit of this partial exemption in commercial rates sports clubs need to be registered under the Registration of Clubs Act, complete an application form and supply supporting documentation on or before September 15th next. The application forms and full details are available online from the Valuation Office at www.valoff.ie, by email at valuationservices@valoff.ie or by phone, 01-8171033.

“This is really positive initiative for clubs in Kildare and across the country. Our sports clubs are part of the very fabric of our local communities and should continue to support them as best we can. Legislative changes such as this can have a really positive impact and I’m pleased to see it being implemented,” concluded Cllr O’Rourke.